Lead Mechanical Engineer

Job Title:
Mechanical Engineer Team Lead

Department:
Engineering

Work Location:
Colborne, CA

Position Description:

The Mechanical Engineer Team lead will be responsible for managing a team of mechanical engineers and designers responsible for the design and manufacture of distribution transformers in accordance with IEEE, CSA, and customer specifications. This is a hands-on role requiring both technical guidance and active participation in the design process. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in mechanical engineering as it applies to transformer applications, and a collaborative mindset to ensure timely, cost-effective, and manufacturable designs that meet industry standards and customer expectations.

Key Responsibilities:

Team Leadership:

• Plan and prioritize team workload to meet project schedules and organizational objectives.
• Conduct performance reviews, training, and technical development of team members.
• Supervise, mentor and support a team of mechanical engineers and designers, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.

Design & Development:

• Design, develop and review mechanical specifications for distribution transformers, ensuring compliance with customer requirements.
• Develop and review mechanical designs for distribution transformers, including tanks, enclosures, radiators, lifting/grounding provisions, core-coil frame assemblies, and mounting structures.
• Perform mechanical calculations such as structural strength for short circuit forces, thermal performance, and tolerance stack-ups.
• Utilize engineering software (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidEdge, or proprietary transformer design tools) for mechanical design, modeling and simulation.
• Prepare and review manufacturing drawings, bills of materials, and 3D CAD models, as required.
• Ensure designs meet applicable industry regulations and standards including utility and customer specifications.
• Stay updated on evolving industry standards, participating in and representing the company on industrial committees and technical events as required.
• Support all mechanical certification and testing requirements, including short circuit and thermal performance validation.

Process and Quality Improvement:

• Support initiatives to standardize and optimize mechanical design processes.
• Lead and support root cause analysis and corrective actions for mechanical design-related issues during production or testing.
• Manage mechanical design review processes to ensure accuracy, adapting as necessary to different product types and configurations.

Collaboration and Coordination:

• Interface with electrical design, production, quality, and supply chain teams to support manufacturability, testing, and cost-efficiency of mechanical designs.
• Drive process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiencies and design quality.
• Troubleshoot and resolve mechanical design-related issues encountered during manufacturing.
• Participate in pre-order and post-order design reviews to confirm technical compliance and mitigate risks.
• Provide technical guidance and direction to junior designers and engineers, contributing to the development of engineering standards and best practices.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree, or higher, in mechanical engineering or a related field.

Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in design engineering of electrical distribution equipment, preferably within a transformer manufacturing environment.
• 3+ years of experience leading engineering teams or acting as a technical lead.

Skills and Competencies:

• Proficiency with 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidEdge, AutoCAD, etc.) and ERP systems.
• Proficiency in distribution transformer design, associated manufacturing processes, and application of applicable industry standards such as ANSI, ASTM, IEEE, and CSA.
• Strong knowledge of fabrication, welding, and sheet metal design principles.
• Understanding of electrical wiring and related systems.
• Strong problem-solving and project management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with an ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and vice versa.
• Strong ability to work with, and manage, diverse and distributed teams.

Acknowledgement

This job description is provided to briefly describe the work required for this position. This job description does not state or imply these are the only responsibilities or duties for this position. The employee may be required to perform other job-related duties as requested by management. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.